Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - What's the going rate for block heater plug-ins?

ken0042 · 11-01-2013, 09:27 PM

I think what he is asking is how much do people pay to rent the plugin from somebody else. For example you always see school buses parked at Superstore on 130th, and in the winter I think they get plugged in. I think the question is- how much does Southland pay Superstore for being able to use the power.

As for a 25¢ cost- that could be too low. I know in my one car the block heater uses 400 watts; I would think in a big diesel engine it would be more. Even assuming the electricty rate is 8¢ per kw/h, that usually only counts towards about half of the power bill. So make it 16¢, and then assume the heater is on for 14 hours per night. (Plugged in at 5pm, unplugged at 7 am.) That's $2.24 on a work night. A Saturday or Sunday plugged in could use power 24 hours. Now you are at $3.84

Make the heater 1000 watts instead of 400, and you have new numbers.

11-01-2013, 09:27 PM	#6
ken0042 Playboy Mansion Poolboy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout Exp:	I think what he is asking is how much do people pay to rent the plugin from somebody else. For example you always see school buses parked at Superstore on 130th, and in the winter I think they get plugged in. I think the question is- how much does Southland pay Superstore for being able to use the power. As for a 25¢ cost- that could be too low. I know in my one car the block heater uses 400 watts; I would think in a big diesel engine it would be more. Even assuming the electricty rate is 8¢ per kw/h, that usually only counts towards about half of the power bill. So make it 16¢, and then assume the heater is on for 14 hours per night. (Plugged in at 5pm, unplugged at 7 am.) That's $2.24 on a work night. A Saturday or Sunday plugged in could use power 24 hours. Now you are at $3.84 Make the heater 1000 watts instead of 400, and you have new numbers.